Margaret H. Whitten

Margaret H. Whitten, age 87 of Cozad, passed away Sunday, September 15, 2013 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Margaret was born April 9, 1926 at Cozad, Nebraska to Alfred and Helen (Comstock) Koch. She graduated from Cozad High School and went on to obtain her nursing degree in Sioux City, Iowa. On August 31, 1946, Margaret was married to C.A. “Whit” Whitten. The couple made their home in Cozad where Margaret worked as a nurse for Dr. Charles Hranac for a number of years. She also worked in nursing at both the hospital and in private care. Following her tenure with Dr. Hranac, she went to work in dentistry with Dr. Fred Hecox. Margaret was a dutiful and civic-minded person; and in many ways, was an advocate for young people. She spent a great deal of her time working as a proponent for the health and welfare of children over the years by means of her lengthy service on the Cozad City School Board and the State Board of Foster Homes. Her special interest in the needs of youngsters led her to spending many of her days at the school, observing day to day activities, throughout her nearly 30 year tenure on the school board. She also served on both the city planning commission and zoning board. Margaret was a member and first female elder at the Presbyterian Church in Cozad, where she also enjoyed singing in the choir. She was involved in Job’s Daughters as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution. In 2005, she was proudly inducted into the Cozad Community Hospital Health Care Hall of Fame. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband in 2000; her parents; son-in-law, Brad Lemmon; grandson, Nicholas; and sister-in-law, Betsy Koch. Survivors include her 2 sons, Bruce (Nanci) Whitten of Lincoln, Scott Whitten of Cozad; daughter, Suzie (Charlie) Block of Cozad; 2 grandchildren, Shannon Aubushon of Broken Bow, Katie Whitten of Lincoln; brother, Don (Cecile) Koch of Albany, TX; along with a niece and nephew, Cass and Garner. A memorial has been established in her memory. Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Graveside inurnment services will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the Cozad Cemetery with Ethel Fox officiating. Visitation for memorial book signature will be held on Wednesday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad.